CGIE vs. BUFI

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

CGIE (Capital Group International Equity ETF) and BUFI (AB International Buffer ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - CGIE is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund actively managed by Capital Group, while BUFI is a Defined Outcome fund actively managed by AllianceBernstein. Both are actively managed. Over the past year, CGIE returned 13.45% vs 12.80% for BUFI. Their correlation of 0.94 suggests significant overlap in exposure. CGIE charges 0.54%/yr vs 0.69%/yr for BUFI.

Performance

CGIE vs. BUFI - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Capital Group International Equity ETF (CGIE) and AB International Buffer ETF (BUFI). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, CGIE achieves a 4.62% return, which is significantly lower than BUFI's 4.92% return.

CGIE

• 1D: -0.74%
• 1M: 3.82%
• YTD: 4.62%
• 6M: 6.00%
• 1Y: 13.45%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

BUFI

• 1D: -0.31%
• 1M: 1.83%
• YTD: 4.92%
• 6M: 6.32%
• 1Y: 12.80%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

CGIE vs. BUFI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
CGIE Capital Group International Equity ETF	4.62%	28.11%	-4.07%
BUFI AB International Buffer ETF	4.92%	16.50%	-1.31%

Correlation

The correlation between CGIE and BUFI is 0.94, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.94
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 11, 2024	0.94

The correlation between CGIE and BUFI has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.94 to 0.94 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

CGIE vs. BUFI — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

CGIE

CGIE Risk / Return Rank: 25
CGIE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 24
CGIE Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
CGIE Omega Ratio Rank: 23
CGIE Calmar Ratio Rank: 24
CGIE Martin Ratio Rank: 29

BUFI

BUFI Risk / Return Rank: 47
BUFI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
BUFI Sortino Ratio Rank: 46
BUFI Omega Ratio Rank: 47
BUFI Calmar Ratio Rank: 46
BUFI Martin Ratio Rank: 53

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

CGIE vs. BUFI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Capital Group International Equity ETF (CGIE) and AB International Buffer ETF (BUFI). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	CGIE	BUFI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.84	1.53	-0.68
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.29	2.25	-0.96
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.16	1.30	-0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.13	2.26	-1.13
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.23	8.98	-4.75
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

CGIE vs. BUFI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current CGIE Sharpe Ratio is 0.84, which is lower than the BUFI Sharpe Ratio of 1.53. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of CGIE and BUFI, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	CGIE	BUFI	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.84	1.53	-0.68
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.06	1.50	-0.43

Drawdowns

CGIE vs. BUFI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum CGIE drawdown since its inception was -13.82%, which is greater than BUFI's maximum drawdown of -7.43%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for CGIE and BUFI.

Drawdown Indicators

	CGIE	BUFI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-13.82%	-7.43%	-6.39%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.94%	-5.69%	-6.25%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.57%	-0.32%	-1.25%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.56%	-0.86%	-1.70%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.19%	1.43%	+1.76%

Volatility

CGIE vs. BUFI - Volatility Comparison

Capital Group International Equity ETF (CGIE) has a higher volatility of 5.31% compared to AB International Buffer ETF (BUFI) at 2.20%. This indicates that CGIE's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BUFI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	CGIE	BUFI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.31%	2.20%	+3.11%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	13.55%	7.05%	+6.50%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.03%	8.43%	+7.60%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.52%	9.15%	+6.37%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	15.52%	9.15%	+6.37%

CGIE vs. BUFI - Expense Ratio Comparison

CGIE has a 0.54% expense ratio, which is lower than BUFI's 0.69% expense ratio.

Dividends

CGIE vs. BUFI - Dividend Comparison

CGIE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.11%, while BUFI has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023
BUFI AB International Buffer ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
CGIE Capital Group International Equity ETF	1.11%	1.17%	1.27%	0.19%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both CGIE and BUFI in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.94, CGIE and BUFI move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, CGIE or BUFI?

CGIE has higher volatility (5.31%) compared to BUFI (2.20%). In terms of maximum drawdown, CGIE dropped -13.82% vs BUFI's -7.43%.

Which ETF is better, CGIE or BUFI?

On 1-year performance, CGIE leads with 13.45% vs 12.80% for BUFI. On fees, CGIE is cheaper at 0.54% per year. On volatility, BUFI has been the lower-risk option at 2.20%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, CGIE or BUFI?

Over the 1-year period, CGIE has performed better with a 13.45% return vs 12.80%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, CGIE or BUFI?

CGIE is cheaper with a 0.54% expense ratio, compared with 0.69% for BUFI.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, CGIE or BUFI?

CGIE has the higher dividend yield at 1.11%, compared with 0.00% for BUFI.

What is the main difference between CGIE and BUFI?

CGIE is categorized as Foreign Large Cap Equities, while BUFI is Defined Outcome. They also come from different issuers: Capital Group and AllianceBernstein. Their fees differ too: 0.54% for CGIE and 0.69% for BUFI.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BUFI currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.53 vs 0.84), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.